The U.S. Forest Service has introduced the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants to support projects dedicated to removing hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands. These grants aim to improve forest health and resilience, decrease wildfire risk, and bolster local forest product facilities and rural economies.
Purpose and Impact
The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance program is a crucial part of the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy. By financing the transportation of hazardous fuels to locations where they can be used for wood products and services, the program aids in reducing wildfire risk and preserving the health of national forests. Additionally, the program supports the forest products industry, which is essential for forest restoration efforts.
Funding and Eligibility
The Forest Service plans to allocate up to $25 million through this funding opportunity. Grants will be awarded to a variety of applicants, including manufacturing facilities, wood energy providers, logging contractors, and organizations that assist underserved communities. Eligible entities range from for-profit and non-profit organizations to U.S. state and local governments, tribal entities, and educational institutions.
To be considered, projects must focus on removing hazardous fuels from National Forest System lands or demonstrate a direct benefit to these lands. Applications may involve multiple contracts and agreements, with each applicant eligible for a maximum combined funding request of $5 million. A 50% match contribution is required for each project, and applicants must prove that transportation costs are a limiting factor to project success.
Application Process and Criteria
Applications must be emailed to [email protected]. The application package should consist of a cover page, project narrative, detailed budget, financial statements, and other supporting documents. Proposals will be assessed based on several criteria, including the treatment of priority hazardous fuels, volume transported, benefit to disadvantaged communities, cost-effectiveness, and readiness for implementation.
Public Webinars
The Forest Service will conduct public webinars on August 16, August 21, and August 28, 2024, in collaboration with the National Wild Turkey Federation. These webinars will offer guidance on the application process and give participants the opportunity to ask questions. Advanced registration is mandatory.
Background
The grant program is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and is authorized under the Wood Innovations grant program of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. This initiative aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, announced in January 2022 to address the escalating wildfire risk and promote sustainable forest management.
For more details on the Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants and to access application information, visit the Forest Service’s official website or contact [email protected].
